HVAC glossary of terms

Terms and technical definitions for heating, cooling and indoor air quality products.

AFUE

Annualized Fuel Utilization Efficiency is a measure of your furnace's heating efficiency. The higher the AFUE percentage, the more efficient the furnace. The minimum percentage established by the DOE for furnaces is 78%.

Air Handler/Coil Blower

The indoor part of an air conditioner or heat pump that moves cooled or heated air throughout the ductwork of your home. An air handler is usually a furnace or a blower coil.

Bioaerosols

Microscopic living organisms suspended in the air that grow and multiply in warm, humid places.

BTU

A British thermal unit is a unit of heat energy. One Btu is the amount of heat required to raise one pound of water by one degree Fahrenheit. The higher the Btu rating, the greater the heating capacity of the system.

BTUH

CAE

The Combined Annual Efficiency is a measure of the amount of heat produced for every dollar of fuel consumed for both home and water heating.

Carbon Monoxide

An odorless, colorless, tasteless, poisonous and flammable gas that is produced when carbon burns with insufficient air.

Central Air Conditioning System

System in which air is treated at a central location and distributed to and from rooms by one or more fans and a series of ducts.

CFM

Stands for Cubic Feet per Minute. This measurement indicates how many cubic feet of air pass by a stationary point in one minute. The higher the number, the more air is being moved through the ductwork by the system.

Composite Fan Blades

Used in select outdoor air conditioner or heat pump units, blades are manufactured with rugged materials and an exclusive angled design that improve operation and durability, even in the harshest environments.

Compressor

The part of the outdoor air conditioner or heat pump that compresses and pumps refrigerant to meet household cooling requirements.

Condenser Coil

The outdoor portion of an air conditioner or heat pump that either releases or collects heat, depending on the time of the year.

Damper

A movable plate, located in the ductwork, that regulates airflow. Dampers are used to direct air to the areas that need it most. Typically used in a zoning application.

Evaporator Coil

FAQ

Stands for "frequently asked questions."

Garage Heaters

Garage heaters are an excellent product for combating cold garages and workshops during the winter months. Heating capacities provide warmth for a one-car garage up to a four-plus-car garage application. Separated combustion models provide heating for hard-to-heat applications. Available in natural or propane gas, units should be installed by a dealer/installer.

Grid-tied

A grid-tied system is the most common and least expensive of all residential solar systems. It allows you to use your own solar-generated electricity to save energy and reduce costs. At times when the solar system isn’t producing electricity, such as at night, electricity is provided by the utility company’s grid, or network of power stations.

Heat Exchanger

Located in the furnace, the heat exchanger transfers heat to the surrounding air, which is then pumped throughout the home.

Heat Pump

A heat pump is an HVAC unit that heats or cools by moving heat. During the winter, a heat pump draws heat from outdoor air and circulates it through your home's air ducts. In the summer, it reverses the process and removes heat from your house and releases it outdoors.

Horizontal Flow

When an air handler or furnace is positioned on its side and circulates air in one end and out the other. Ideal for attic or crawl space installations.

HSPF

The Heating Seasonal Performance Factor is the heating efficiency rating for heat pumps. The higher the rating, the more efficient the heat pump. HSPF was regulated in 2006 at 7.7.

Humidifier

An indoor air quality device that introduces moisture to heated air as it passes from the furnace into the ductwork for distribution throughout the home.

Humidistat

An automatic device used to maintain humidity at a fixed or adjustable set point.

HVAC

Indoor Coil

See Evaporator Coil.

Interconnection Agreement

(See “net metering.”)

ISO 9000

A family of international standards for quality management and assurance.

MERV Rating

The MERV (Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value) rating of a filter describes the size of the holes in the filter that allow air to pass through. The higher the MERV rating, the smaller the holes in the filter, the higher the efficiency.

Micron

A unit of measure equal to one millionth of a meter, or one thousandth of a millimeter.

Net Metering

With this service, which is available from many utility providers, you can get full retail value for most, if not all, of the electricity produced by your own generating system. Your utility meter keeps track of the “net” difference between the electricity you use from your utility provider and the electricity you produce with your own system.

Odors/Chemicals

Air contaminants in the form of gases.

Off-grid or Off-the-grid

An off-grid electricity-generating system operates independently from the utility grid, providing all of the electricity needed in the home. Stand-alone systems are much more expensive than grid-tied systems. However, for homes located in remote areas without utility service, or where installing power lines would be extremely costly, a stand-alone system is a good option.

Outdoor Coil

See Condenser Coil.

Particles

Any substances measuring less than 100 microns in diameter. The EPA has found that small particles (less than 2.5 microns) are responsible for the health effects of greatest concern.

Programmable Thermostat

A thermostat with the ability to record different temperature/time settings for your heating and/or cooling equipment.

R-410A Refrigerant

A chlorine-free refrigerant that meets the EPA's newest, most stringent environmental guidelines.

Refrigerant

A chemical that produces a cooling effect while expanding or vaporizing. Most residential air conditioning units contain the standard R-22 refrigerant, or Freon.

Refrigerant Lines

Two copper lines that connect the outdoor air conditioner or heat pump to the indoor evaporator coil.

Scroll Compressor

A specially designed compressor that works in a circular motion, as opposed to up-and-down piston action.

SEER

The Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio is an energy efficiency rating for air conditioners. The higher the SEER, the better the energy performance, the more you save. The DOE's established minimum SEER rating for cooling is 13.00.

Zoning

Polar Air & Heating Inc provides dependable, quality service to homeowners in the Las Vegas region. Our experienced technicians are well-trained and knowledgeable on all HVAC products, so you’ll be confident knowing you will get the results you need. The team at Polar Air & Heating Inc holds themselves to high standards and are devoted to delivering the best customer service, whether you’re shopping for a new HVAC system or need maintenance on your current system. If you have questions or need help with your HVAC system, you can reach us at 702-623-0579 or arrange an appointment online to get started on your home comfort needs!